Laser pointers can cause blindness if directed at the eye, the standards authority warned yesterday, in a reminder that their importation and sale is prohibited.

The authority had withdrawn laser devices and similar products from the market last year. But it said that during recent inspections it identified several types and makes of different shapes and sizes still available.

Retailers in possession of these devices have been asked to immediately remove them and return them to their suppliers, who, in turn, must make arrangements to withdraw them from the market right away. Anyone caught disregarding this instruction would be liable to legal action, the authority said.

Last time round, the authority only threatened that the lasers would be confiscated. It yesterday advised consumers to return such devices to the outlets they bought them from and advise children not to use them.